of suffering mortal: you are the fount whence springs the current of solicitude that brings unto our soil unceasing fecundation.
From your abode, enthroned on heaven’s height,
in mercy deign to hear my cry of woe and to the radiance of your mantle draw my voice that rises with so swift a flight.
You are my mother, Mary, and shall be
my life, my stronghold, my defense most thorough; and you shall be my guide on this wild sea.
If vice pursues me madly on the morrow,
if death harasses me with agony: come to my aid and dissipate my sorrow!
2. Our Mother Tongue
A poem originally in Tagalog written by Rizal when he was only eight years old
IF truly a people dearly love
The tongue to them by Heaven sent, They'll surely yearn for liberty Like a bird above in the firmament.
BECAUSE by its language one can judge
A town, a barrio, and kingdom; And like any other created thing Every human being loves his freedom.
ONE who doesn't love his native tongue,
Is worse than putrid fish and beast; AND like a truly precious thing It therefore deserves to be cherished.
THE Tagalog language's akin to Latin,
To English, Spanish, angelical tongue; For God who knows how to look after us This language He bestowed us upon.
AS others, our language is the same
With alphabet and letters of its own, It was lost because a storm did destroy On the lake the bangka 1 in years bygone.
3. Child Jesus
Why have you come to earth,
Child-God, in a poor manger? Does Fortune find you a stranger from the moment of your birth?
Alas, of heavenly stock
now turned an earthly resident! Do you not wish to be president but the shepherd of your flock?
4. A Tribute to my Town
When I remember the days
that saw my early childhood spent on the green shores of a murmurous lagoon; when I remember the coolness, delicious and refreshing, that on my face I felt as I heard Favonius croon;
when I behold the white lily
swell to the wind’s impulsion, and that tempestuous element meekly asleep on the sand; when I inhale the dear intoxicating essence the flowers exude when dawn is smiling on the land;
sadly, sadly I recall
your visage, precious childhood, which an affectionate mother made beautiful and bright; I recall a simple town, my comfort, joy and cradle, beside a balmy lake, the seat of my delight.
Ah, yes, my awkward foot
explored your sombre woodlands, and on the banks of your rivers in frolic I took part. I prayed in your rustic temple, a child, with a child’s devotion; and your unsullied breeze exhilarated my heart.
The Creator I saw in the grandeur
of your age-old forests; upon your bosom, sorrows were ever unknown to me; while at your azure skies I gazed, neither love nor tenderness failed me, for in nature lay my felicity.
Tender childhood, beautiful town,
rich fountain of rejoicing and of harmonious music that drove away all pain: return to this heart of mine, return my gracious hours, return as the birds return when flowers spring again!
But O goodbye! May the Spirit
of Good, a loving gift-giver, keep watch eternally over your peace, your joy, your sleep! For you, my fervent pryers; for you, my constant desire to learn; and I pray heaven your innocence to keep!
5. Memories of my Town
When I recall the days
That saw my childhood of yore Beside the verdant shore Of a murmuring lagoon; When I remember the sighs Of the breeze that on my brow Sweet and caressing did blow With coolness full of delight;
When I look at the lily white
Fills up with air violent And the stormy element On the sand doth meekly sleep; When sweet 'toxicating scent From the flowers I inhale Which at the dawn they exhale When at us it begins to peep;
I sadly recall your face,
Oh precious infancy, That a mother lovingly Did succeed to embellish. I remember a simple town; My cradle, joy and boon, Beside the cool lagoon The seat of all my wish.
Oh, yes! With uncertain pace
I trod your forest lands, And on your river banks A pleasant fun I found; At your rustic temple I prayed With a little boy's simple faith And your aura's flawless breath Filled my heart with joy profound. Saw I God in the grandeur Of your woods which for centuries stand; Never did I understand In your bosom what sorrows were; While I gazed on your azure sky Neither love nor tenderness Failed me, 'cause my happiness In the heart of nature rests there.
Tender childhood, beautiful town,
Rich fountain of happiness, Of harmonious melodies, That drive away my sorrow! Return thee to my heart, Bring back my gentle hours As do the birds when the flow'rs Would again begin to blow! But, alas, adieu! E'er watch For your peace, joy and repose, Genius of good who kindly dispose Of his blessings with amour; It's for thee my fervent pray'rs, It's for thee my constant desire Knowledge ever to acquire And may God keep your candour!